Tuesday, August 29, 2006

A Turning Point

Last night was turning point in my journey of faith so far. I was in my quiet time(something I haven't been able to say in a long time) the scripture was Luke 11:1 where Jesus' disciples approach Jesus asking him to teach them to pray. Jesus there afterwards gives them a model prayer also known as the Lord's Prayer.

As I read the scripture I felt this spirit come over me and really sink in and for the first time in a long time the words of scripture actually had a deeper meaning than just words on a page. It was at this point that God convicted me of things in my life that were displeasing to him(better said I finally came to terms or acknowledged what God had already convicted me of much earlier instead of causually sweeping in under the metaphorical rug). I nailed it to the cross and gave it to proceeded to do what I need to do to make sure that the habitual sin that was in my life could never happen again. My heart was drawn to Psalm 51 which I read and was reminded of what it was like for me in High School. After reading through the psalm several times as a sort of prayer I felt restored in my faith and so much closer to God.

As result the music and the message in chapel resonated in my heart more deeply and with more meaning than they have ever before.

Now for something a on sort of a comical note, Does it say in the Word that God considers it more righteous if you dress in coat and tie for seminary class. I know that's not true and the gentlemen I see might have a viable reason for being dressed this way.

I just thought I would insert in here for some funny feedback and thoughts that sure to come.

Grace, Peace, and Chai <><

Monday, August 21, 2006

Knowledge by the truckload

Officially I've met all my classes at least once, but through the reading assigned for those classes I've already been exposed to probably the equivalent of the knowledge and information that I got in the one semester's worth at CN. It's simply amazing at how in-depth we've already plunged.

I'm currently reading and now recommend this book "Reinventing Jesus" by Ed Komoszewski. If you ever wanted to really dig into how we got what we now hold in our hand as the Bible this is the book for you. It also spends a great deal in discussing and defending against the views and opinions that say the the bible is not reliable and can't be trust as a complete document.

Thanks so much for your prayers I'm not starting to meet alteast some other people and I no longer feel like I have no one down here to call friend.

Still struggling to get my daily quiet time back on track so continued prayer for me in that regard although a welcome gift came in the mail over the weekend in the form of Oswald Chamber's My Utmost for his Highest.

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
3 John 1:2


Until next time.

Grace and Peace and Chai <><

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Let the Games Begin

No games here just thought it would be a catchy title. Tomorrow I embark on a 3 year(lord willing) journey of seminary training. It's little surreal that I'm finally here.

I'm finally feeling good about this place a week ago when I had nothing do and it was just me and my movies I felt anything but good. Why you may ask, I was the perfect target and the adversary came at me with every thing he had in his arsenal, putting feeling of doubt and trepidation in my mind. I was reminded of the passage in Romans: For we know that that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpsoe Rm. 8:28

So with that I just told the devil to shut up and get behind me. I would ask every who follows this chronicle to please be in prayer for me. Please pray that I will avail myself of every oportunity to excel academically, that I will use my time wisely, and that my walk with God will only grow closer for having been in this place.

I welcome your comments, your thoughts, and your feelings.

Until next time,

Grace and Peace and Chai. <><

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

We're Here......

To steal a line from Poltrigeist. I have arrived in Wake Forest, NC more specifically Southeastern. I have to say that I've come to a crossroads in my life where its either going to be a consistent and genuine walk with my LORD or dare I say a continued existence of "playing church." To which was said that if I was to continue as Southeastern would not happen because of what would be required of me.

It was spiritual warefare at its greatest yesterday I felt like I couldn't do this and I wanted to go home to what I knew and forget that I was ever called to ministry. Sitting in the director of admissions office with my parents the enemy was manufacturing every excuse he could that would in turn put me in my car headed back to Knoxville. I finally just sucked it up and said with as much confidence as I could muster that I was staying and sticking it out now whether that means I stay for a semester or for the entire time that I'm here remains to be seen.

I must say the lowest point was following my parents out of complex that I'm living in and seeing them go one direction and I go the other way. I will be painfully honest I cried and I still feel bad with regard that I'm on my own with regard to not having parents less than an hour away which was the case with me being at Carson Newman. My roommates are awesome guys who are helping me to get settled in and I know that they know exactly what I'm feeling cause they were once there.

I can once again resume my role as a movie junky cause I have absolutely nothing do for about a week cause orientation starts next week and then eventually classes.